Latest Commission!

I hope Isla likes it.... x

A Cat Conundrum!

I don't know whether you remember but I have mentioned 'Hunter' our neighbours black cat in previous posts. Hunter and I have had a very checkered past. The fist day we moved into our house, we turned up to find him sitting on our doorstep. Being the animal lover that I am I immediately crouched down and started stroking him which he seemed to be very happy about. After a little while (and after getting a 'stop playing with the cat and help to bring stuff in' look from Tom) I stood up and that's when it happened. Hunter struck. Now, I have been around cats and various other animals all my life and I know the difference between a cat playfully attacking and a real full on viscous attack...this was the latter. I'm talking all claws and teeth sinking into my leg! I screamed, Tom tried not to laugh and Hunter skulked off. It happened so so quickly, you know like when you watch those TV shows 'When animals attack?' well it was just like that (OK, maybe I am being a bit dramatic but as you can imagine, I was pretty traumatised)  Luckily I had a pair of jeans on but Hunter had still managed to pierce my skin with his teeth and leave big scratch marks with his claws so much so that I had to go and get a Tetanus Booster. Nice.

So, after that I tried to avoid Hunter. I've never been scared of any animal but I was definitely wary. Hunter was always hanging around and I'd walk as far away past him him as possible.   After a while I thought that it was ridiculous that I was scared of a cat and decided I should face my fear (get back on the horse and all that) so I made amends with Hunter. Forward a few months later Hunter was now coming into our house, (we did try to stop him, but have you ever tried to stop a cat from running in when you open the door? Its almost impossible) Hunter seemed to love being with us, even though he has a perfectly nice home to us just next door and is very well cared for.  He started jumping up on our laps and I have to admit I did start to give him little scraps of food.. oh alright, I'll admit it I bought a little cat dish and some 'Friskies' especially for when he came to visit.
We've been in our house for 8 months now and all has been fine with Hunter up until a week ago.  I was sitting on our deck having a nice cup of tea and reading a magazine when as usual he came walking along our balcony to say hello. After greeting him I went back to my magazine and that's when it happened again, only this time I didn't even see it coming. I was nowhere near him and the worst part is I was wearing shorts!  Thank god he didn't bite me this time, just sunk all of his claws into me. I was so shocked, this attack literally came out of nowhere... once again I screamed (this time more out of shock) and once again Hunter skulked off.
The puncture wounds were quite deep, and blood was pouring down my leg (honestly, I'm not exaggerating, I even took photos to show Tom when he came home which I did consider adding to this post but nobody wants to see that first thing on a Sunday morning do they?)
So, I decided that Hunter would now be banned from our house. I was so upset that he did it again especially after we had come so far since the last time it happened and although i am writing this with a light heart I am genuinely worried (and a little scared) that he will do it again.  It's been very hard trying to ignore Hunter, he has been sitting outside our back door and turns up every time I pull into our driveway. Last night I found him sitting on the bonnet of my car waiting for me... I did weaken and gave him a little pat but told him quite firmly that he can't come in anymore as he was naughty and thanks to him I am walking around with scabs and bruises on my leg - not an attractive look.
This morning I went outside and found a HUGE dead rat on our doorstep.  Obviously a gift or an apology from Hunter? He has never left us a present before and although finding a dead rat on our doorstep wasn't particularly nice I thought that there was something quite touching about this gesture. So now I am not really sure what to do? Should I continue to ignore Hunter or should I once again forgive him and just hope that he doesn't strike me again?  Now can you see why I am having a bit of a cat conundrum?

Advice please?

Happy Sunday everyone xxx

Tooth Fairy Pillows

Here is my latest little project...

Tooth Fairy Pillows!!  I wanted to make some little extras to take to the market with me and this is what I came up with....

I bought some little iron -on motifs and some little bags and sewed them onto the front fabric, then wrote 'Tooth Fairy' with a fabric pen and gave it a sprinkling of glitter for good measure. Once dry I sewed the back and front fabric together before filling it with stuffing!

I wrote a little note for the Tooth Fairy which the owner of the pillow can sign, then once their tooth falls out it can be placed in the bag along with the note...

These have been very popular...here is one I made for a customer which I personalised...

And here are some others I have made waiting to be stuffed!  Tooth Fairy Pillows will be available to buy from my website within the next few days!

A Good Day at The Market, a Picture Update and Hello Miss Amelia!

I had a great day at the market yesterday, it seems people are ready to start to think about their Christmas presents which is good for me!  It always surprises me, as the people who I think will buy something never do and the ones you least expect are the ones who buy?  - Anyway, I'm going to be busy with the lead up to Christmas so I must be disciplined and not get sidetracked (no outings to Spotlight for me then!)

Here are a few 'unfinished corners' of the commission I am currently working on...

The little bluebirds and their nest of eggs are one of my favourite parts of the picture.  I'm hoping to have this finished by the end of this week.

On another note, do you remember me telling you about 'Little & Lucia' ? well, I couldn't resist anymore and have purchased one of Lucy's hand-made ponies!  I'd like you to meet, Miss Amelia...

Isn't she Fabulous??? 

I think Miss Amelia has had a very nice upbringing, she is extremely stylish and even has vintage style lace running through her hair and all over her back??  As soon as I saw her, I just knew I had to have her, I mean a pony covered in lace for goodness sakes! How could I resist?
Now I just need to find an appropriate spot for her. Somehow I don't think Miss Amelia has been raised in a stable?  I just hope I can find somewhere she will approve of?

Have a nice relaxing Sunday everyone!

Ready For The Beach?

I finished this picture today, 'Ready for the Beach'. I wanted this picture to be a little more subtle than my usual paintings which are very bright & bold and heavily outlined. 

You can't really see it from these photos but there is a faint blue sky in the background.

This picture will be available to buy from my website soon....
x

Today I've been...

working on my latest commission.  It's for the clients granddaughter.  Apparently Isla loves the outdoors and especially loves animals. I wanted the picture to be full and interesting to look at. Here is the early stages of the sketch that I will be working from...

Since this photo was taken, I've added a cat asleep on a rock at the bottom right of the picture and some more strands of grass behind the toadstool's.

I'm going to start painting it tomorrow. I'll post photos of the finished piece soon!

On another note, I thought I'd share this photo taken yesterday of my niece Rose staring at our neighbours cat Hunter (who has practically moved in with us!!)  Hunter is a gorgeous cat but can be a bit temperamental, so he wasn't allowed in. Rose was completely fascinated by him and they both stayed staring at each other for a good hour!

Happy Sunday everyone!
x

An Oldie and Goodbye boys!

I found this pencil drawing today while I was going through some of my old work.  I must of done this quite a long while ago as it has my old signature on the back that I haven't used in years!  I think she is quite sweet...I might have to spend a little time with her and place her in a picture somewhere?

We had a lovely time with Stewart and Lans. They flew home today so I am feeling very sad. Lots of tears at the airport.  Still, we managed to fit lots in during their flying visit. Here are a few photo's taken the past week.

 As you can see, we were very lucky with the weather...

Apart from one very wet and windy day!

Thanks for coming to visit guys, we are counting down the days until the next time! xxx

A Quiet Drink in The Library

We are so excited, my brother-in-law Stewart and his partner Lans are visiting from London. It's sooooo good to have them here, we've a got a week until they have to leave and we are determined to make the most of it. So, despite the pouring rain last night we headed out into town.  We hopped off the bus and ran into the nearest bar to us, which happened to be The Library Bar. I have driven past this place a few times and thought 'I must go in there one day' but have so far never ventured in... until last night...

 I can't believe I have never been before... I love this place. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting and the staff are really nice and friendly.

Hundreds (if not thousands) of books line the walls...

and old fashioned lamps are scattered all around to help to create the right atmosphere.

Lans, Tom and Stewart enjoying the first drink of many in their cozy corner...

This gorgeous green lamp really caught my eye...

So many books... so little time...

Lots of lovely pieces to look at. This would look good in my hallway...

and the monkey could live in my bedroom :0)

The Library bar is definitely a place to visit... I'll be going back again very soon!